Tuesday, November 23, 1999
Reading superintendent hired in stormy session
BY JANICE MORSE
The Cincinnati Enquirer
READING — Less than two weeks after accepting John Varis' resignation as superintendent, the school board voted 3-2 Monday to replace him with Central Elementary School Principal Sherry Parr.
Some residents at Monday's meeting said the board's decision — after the seat was vacant for just 11 days — was too hasty and will further fan the flames in the discontented community.
“They sold us out one more time!” Sharon Vitori said as she stormed away from the meeting in Central's library.
“They knew who we wanted, and they ignored it. We all wanted Arnie Elam.”
Mr. Elam, director of student services and instruction, and Ms. Parr were among four internal candidates who sought the post.
The others were Hilltop Elementary School Principal Wanda Hill and social studies teacher Ken McWhorter, who formerly was the high school principal.
Board Vice President Burchy Schulte said he thought the public wanted a decision Monday night, based on several months of clamoring for a new superintendent.
Within weeks of making controversial remarks about arming teachers to protect students, Mr. Varis resigned from the superintendent's post, and the board voted Nov. 11 to buy out the remainder of his contract for $165,000.
Mr. Schulte said there was no reason to delay the decision because all four applicants were qualified.
The two board members who voted against Ms. Parr's selection, Bill Apking and Mike Wiley, left the meeting without commenting.
Board member-elect Tom Bemmes said he thought it was unethical for the board to take action without considering new board members' viewpoints.
He said it was “very unprofessional” for the board to announce its selection in a public meeting before privately contacting the candidates as a courtesy.
“That man (Mr. Elam) should not have had to sit there and hear, "We didn't want you,'” Mr. Bemmes said.
Mr. Bemmes and Vicki Solomon join the board in January.
Ms. Parr's new contract begins Jan. 1 and runs through July 31, 2002.
“I'm looking forward to moving Reading ahead,” she told the board.
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